adminPeter Phiri Sports Correspondent
BULAWAYO Chiefs face an uphill task when they play ZPC Hwange in the quarter-finals of the Machache Meats Football Tournament in Hwange tomorrow. They progressed to the quarter-finals after beating former Premier Soccer League side Zimbabwe Saints 2-0 through goals from Gilbert Tapera and Trevor Nkomo.
Bulawayo Chiefs assistant coach Nkosiyazi Ncube predicted a tough match against ZPC Hwange who he described as a tough nut to crack.
‘‘ZPC Hwange are a good side and hard to beat especially at home. We will try our best and do what we have always done in training. But it is not going to be easy for our boys and above all we respect our opponents,’’ said Ncube.
Bulawayo Chiefs will however, go into tomorrow’s match with their tails high after dismissing the same team 2-0 in a league match last week at Dingumuzi Stadium in Plumtree.
While Bulawayo Chiefs cruised into the quarter-finals smoothly, ZPC Hwange overcame Mkhosana 5-4 on penalties.
ZPC Hwange head coach Solomon Kaseke said the Mkhosana match was tough as it was balanced and luck saw them through.
‘‘Against Mkhosana we had to win by luck but otherwise the match was tough and evenly balanced. We will just play our normal game against Bulawayo Chiefs in the quarter-finals. The problem is lack of composure by the strikers up front,’’ said Kaseke.
Quelaton, who laboured to a 1-0 victory over an out of sorts New West City, will face Black Boots in the quarter-finals hoping chief striker Toto Banda to spearhead the attack.
Banda scored the solitary goal that sank New West City but coach Farai Tawachera is worried by the numerous chances his strikers missed especially in the first half.
Hwange Under-20 entertain Bulawayo Jumbos while Mpumalanga take on in-form Tsholotsho Pirates in the other quarter-final matches.
Mpumalanga beat Technosphere 3-2 in the first round while Hwange Under-20 beat Rufaro Rovers 2-1.
Machache Meats Cup quarter-finals fixtures
Tomorrow: Quelaton v Black Boots (Luveve) 3pm, ZPC Hwange v Bulawayo Chiefs (Chakona) 3pm, Hwange Under-20 v Bulawayo Jumbos (Hwange) 3pm, Mpumalanga v Tsholotsho Pirates (Hwange) 3pm
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